Fishing Campbell River

[Prairie Locked]

Wondering about the feasability/safety of fishing the C.R hump in a 14' Westcoaster, have a 2008 20 horse Yammi.

I know the tide rips through, but if you plan accordingly for favorable tide and current, could it be do-able?

Or would it be better to avoid it all together?

Thanks for the insight.

 

[Cuba Libre]

Well I used to fish the hump and green can with a 12ft boat... but I was stupid and thought I was invincible.. but seriously, yes you can. But take a good dose of common sense with you... A SE with a flood tide can be really nasty. The rip that sets up has killed more than a few fishermen-- including larger commercial boats

 

[gungadin]

The hump can be hazardous for any small craft. BUT if you are here in July, August, you can fish very sucessfully over by the green can, tidal movement is minimal, you fish about 60- 120 ft down (at most). If you fish the hump, electric downriggers with 15lb weights are a must, 150-250ft. Fishing two downriggers is much better if you have extendable booms, less tangles. Enjoy your stay.

 

[Prairie Locked]

Thanks Cuba and gunga. I'm a bit leary but I think may be willing to give it a cautious shot. I think I have pretty much everything that would be needed both from a safety perspective but also from a performance perspective (electric rigger, sounder, Navionics). Obviously, look at doing on a favorable forecast, minimal winds, watch the current speed, etc. And, keep an eye on the water.

Not familiar with the 'green can'. Would that be the marker at SE Quadra at Wilby?

Any recommendations for a shallow water launch? Is Willow Point still accessible?

 

[ThreePer]

Yes you are right about the green can being SE of Quadra. Launch your boat across from the Rona in Willow Point. It is a straight shot from there over to both the hump and the green can. I fish a 16.5 aluminum and I pick my days carefully but fish both in the summer.

 

[Prairie Locked]

Willow point (Ken Forde) seems it would be better than Big Rock to avoid some of the surge coming through the pass?

Obviously I'm a CR rookie. Only experience has been Kitty Coleman last year.

 

[Hog Tide]

I fished the green can area today. Lots of p cod and undersised salmon. Managed a 25 lb halibut at about 160 ft and a small hatch coho. Funny thing out there,2 pcod had their bellies eaten out wile on the line. No idea what would do that. Didn't see any seals in area.

 

[Fish Assassin]

I fished the green can area today. Lots of p cod and undersised salmon. Managed a 25 lb halibut at about 160 ft and a small hatch coho. Funny thing out there,2 pcod had their bellies eaten out wile on the line. No idea what would do that. Didn't see any seals in area.

Dogfish......

 

[gungadin]

Ken Forde's launch ramp has seen some improvements in the last few years, at least for beach goers, The ramp is really only usable on a 5-6 ft tide and higher. If you launch on a big ebb tide you could be out there for a while. The parking is limited for trailers, but it does have decent toilets. I do launch there but only on small tides. Should you be out on the waterwhen a south east wind blows up, the ramp is exposed to the waves and picking up the boat can be very entertaining for people watching from shore.
Big Rock ramp is a good ramp, quite steep, well protected, and usable on all but the lowest tide. It can be very crowded, and parking is limited. Fuel and washrooms are across the street at the gas station.
Both are maintained by the city, with no running water, no cleaning tables, but are free and fairly close to the hump.

 

[Prairie Buoy]

Hey Hog! FA is absolutely right about the dogs taking chunks out of pcod. Happens to me all the time as I jig for pcod. Check out pic I took recently..

 

[Prairie Locked]

Thanks gungadin. Big rock, the benefit seems it is steep and sheltered as well as closer. Luckily having a 14 foot tinny, if needed, I can at least beach it. If it's blowing, I can hand bomb it and could bench it on the trailer from shore in a hurry.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Thanks gungadin. Big rock, the benefit seems it is steep and sheltered as well as closer. Luckily having a 14 foot tinny, if needed, I can at least beach it. If it's blowing, I can hand bomb it and could bench it on the trailer from shore in a hurry.

Good plan for sure. Remember the early birds get the truck and trailer parking spots!......BB